IMPORTANT: RIBCAGE H5, H6 & H7PRO cameras are not waterproof.

Install / Remove the IR-Cut Filter

The IR-Cut filter blocks infrared light so that your images have normal color and is recommended for use with CS, C-Mount and most other lens types. The filter comes pre-installed in your camera but you may wish to remove it in order to clean, switch filter types or use wide angle M12 lenses that already have an integrated IR-Cut filter. A spare filter is located in the red baggie supplied in the camera case and the plastic tool shown in the video is also supplied. Replacement filters are available in the accessories section of our shop.

In December 2018 the design was changed in favor of a larger filter size. The larger size is compatible with all H5, H6 & H7PRO cameras. The video shows how to remove and replace the newer filters and the original filter configuration is shown at 2:20.

  • Use the pointy end of the plastic spudger tool to gently pop out the o-ring holding the filter in place (tool is located in camera GOcase)
  • Turn the camera over and drop the filter into a microfiber cloth
  • Use your spudger to remove the remaining small o-ring if desired
  • If required, clean the sensor. We recommend using a Lenspen MiniPro followed by an air puffer. You can also use some lens spray and a microfiber cloth followed by a puffer. The same tools can be used to clean the filter itself.
  • Place the thin o-ring back into the camera using the spudger to move it into place.
  • Hold the filter by the edges. With the camera at a 45 degree angle gently drop the filter into the socket. Take care not to drop the filter edge first onto the sensor.
  • Replace the thick o-ring using your spudger tool.

Adding CS & C-Mount Lenses

  • For normal color make sure the IR-Cut filter is installed
  • For C-Mount lenses add the 5mm spacer ring, for CS-Mount lenses remove it
  • Focus the lens as desired using the rear display or an external HDMI monitor
Pro Tip: Most CS & C-Mount lenses perform best between f4 and f8. Shoot with the iris wide open for soft focused backgrounds in your close-ups. Shoot with the iris closed down for sharp far shots.

Using Lens Adapters

If using C-Mount adapters to mount other lens types on your camera, make sure the 5mm C-Mount spacer is attached and the IR-Cut filter is installed.
Pro Tip: visit www.back-bone.ca/shop for a wide selection of lens adapters

CROP FACTOR INFORMATION

Lenses designed for larger sensors or film formats will appear somewhat magnified when used with the smaller 1/2.3″ GoPro sensor. Here are the focal length multipliers for several popular lens types.
  • 1/2.3″ M12 – 1.0x
  • 1/2″ C-Mount / M12 – 1.02x
  • 1/1.8″ C-Mount / M12 – 1.15x
  • 2/3” C-Mount – 1.41x
  • 16mm (Bolex) – 1.63x
  • Super 16 – 1.86x
  • 1” C-Mount – 2.05x
  • 1.1” C-Mount – 2.18x
  • APS-C – 3.42x
  • DX – 3.64x
  • APS-H – 4.42x
  • 35mm (Full Frame) – 5.54x

For more information on crop factors please visit this page.

Support

Got a question about your modification project? Get up and running with our help! Take a look at our Troubleshooting Guide or FAQ for some solutions to common problems, if the answer isn’t there drop us a line.

For more help with our product please visit www.back-bone.ca/support or email us

support@back-bone.ca

Mounting M12 Lenses

  • Remove the C-Mount ring
  • Screw the M12 to CS adapter ring onto the camera (Yellow Bag).
  • Gently screw in your lens and check to see if it will focus. If it stops turning before it’s sharp you will need to remove the IR-Cut filter from the camera. Take the lens back out.
  • Thread the small black locking ring onto your lens.
  • Screw the lens into the adapter until sharply in focus.
  • Tighten the locking ring against the adapter to lock the lens in place.
  • You can also tighten the locking ring against the orange O-ring if desired.
Pro Tip: Get extra M12 adapters so you have one for each of your M12’s. Once you have them set up and locked in place in the adapter ring you can perform quick lens changes on the fly! Extra adapters are available at www.back-bone.ca/shop

Focusing Entaniya 220°, 250° and 280° Lenses

If the 5mm C-Mount ring is on the camera, remove it. Also, remove the IR-Cut filter and holder. Add 4 or 5 of the set screws to the outside of the red mounting ring supplied with your lens. The black mounting ring that comes with the lens is for Hero4 Ribcage mods and is not required. Screw the red mount onto the camera until snug. Add a layer of Teflon tape to the barrel of the lens and thread it into the orange mount. We recommend attaching your camera to a high-res HDMI screen to set your focus. Once the image is perfectly sharp fix the lens in place by tightening the set screws around the perimeter.

TIPS

  • If your M12 lens feels a little loose inside the adapter, try wrapping a layer of Teflon tape around it. That will ensure a snug fit so that the lens is perfectly aligned with the image sensor. Teflon tape is cheap and readily available in the plumbing section of any hardware store.

  • Keep an air puffer and microfiber cleaning cloth in your shooting kit so you can blow debris out of the camera if needed and keep your lenses crystal clean.
  • If you have a 4K TV switch your camera to 4K while focusing for the sharpest image.

ABOUT STABILIZATION AND VARIOUS LENS MODES

Stabilization

Hero5, 6 & 7 cameras come with a built in image stabilization feature, just keep in mind that it has some limitations when used with lenses other than the original GoPro lens it was designed for. As a general guide, like all forms of electronic image stabilization it will become less effective with more and more zoom. It works best with wide angle lenses or the original GoPro lens (included) but with longer focal lengths it’s recommended that you use a gimbal or tripod.

We also recommend trying out the free software ‘GyroFlow’. That software performs stabilization in post using the gyro data stored in the video files. It allows you to create a distortion profile for each of your lenses for a more accurate result. You also have access to a lot more tools to fine tune the output. You may find that you prefer to shoot with Hypersmooth turned off for maximum control in GyroFlow.

Linear Mode / SuperView

Linear mode is intended for use with a fisheye lens, or the original GoPro lens (included). When linear mode is enabled the camera firmware will correct for the fisheye distortion of the original GoPro lens. If you are already using a linear lens it will actually add a ‘pincushion’ distortion. SuperView is a mode that compresses the entire 4:3 image sensor into a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio which usually results in undesirable distortion regardless of the lens being used. For those reasons we recommend using the camera’s ‘Wide’ setting for most shooting situations. The ‘Wide’ setting will use the maximum area of the image sensor for the best image quality without distortion.

Troubleshooting: 

My camera turns off after just a few seconds! Use the side button to power on the camera instead of the top. Quick capture is triggered by default when you hit the top button so it will try and record. If no SD card is found it will simply turn off.
My footage looks pink! You need to install the supplied IR-Cut filter which prevents infra-red light from reaching the sensor. If your footage looks pink this filter is likely missing, or you are using an ‘IR corrected’ M12 lens which is designed for full spectrum & IR imaging. Most M12 lenses have the filter installed on the back but for CS, C-Mount and other lens types you will need to add it for normal use.
My C-Mount lens won’t focus!: This usually means that you simply need to add the supplied 5mm C-Mount spacer ring to the camera before adding your lens. It comes mounted on the camera with a plastic cap screwed into it.
Dark spots in footage, especially when iris is closed down: Your image sensor or filter needs to be cleaned. Using an air puffer is usually enough to blow away any small particles that might have gotten on the sensor. A LensPen MiniPro is also a great tool for cleaning the small GoPro sensor. Also verify that there is no dust or debris on the back of the lens.
Images are blurry on one side with M12’s: Likely your lens is not perfectly aligned with the image sensor. Some lenses have looser thread engagement than others which may cause a very slight tilt. Try adding a layer of Teflon tape to the lens barrel before adding it to the adapter ring as outlined in the tips.
When I shoot footage for 360° video, the image circle keeps moving around: When shooting content from circular fisheye lenses for stitching in 360° video software, make sure the image stabilization feature is turned off.
There’s a lag when I connect my H7PRO to HDMI!: Turn of the image stabilization in the settings to remove the delay.

NOTE: We’ve done our best to accommodate the vast majority of M12, CS and C-Mount lenses on the market, however there will be some designs that aren’t compatible. M12 lenses that are extremely short, have odd shaped barrels or short threads may not work. The lenses at www.back-bone.ca have their compatibility clearly marked. When buying M12 lenses elsewhere look for 1/2.3” or 1/2” lenses that have an IR-cut filter built in for normal color. If you want to perform full spectrum or infra-red imaging look for ‘IR-corrected’ lenses. We recommend 1/2”, 1/1.8” or 2/3” C-Mount lenses with high resolution ‘megapixel’ optics.